RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first in the final of the Tri-Series T20 match against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
“Not a typical Pindi pitch but still a 160-170 track,” said Pakistan skipper Salman Agha. “We just need to play good cricket. We are good enough to beat anyone. One change in the XI: Shaheen is back, Wasim is not playing, “ he said after winning the toss.
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka remained confident: “Cold and dew is not a big problem; we are used to such conditions. It’s a different game, and we are ready. We need to execute our basics. Anything beyond 160 is a bonus.”
Pakistan, despite a loss on Thursday, enter the final as favourites on home soil. A solid performance in both bowling and top-order batting could secure another trophy and cap off a busy T20 season.
For Sri Lanka, the final represents a chance to recover after mixed results in recent series, including defeats to Bangladesh and a bottom-place finish in the Asia Cup Super Fours.
Key players to watch include Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz, who leads the tri-series with a strike rate of 162.50 and seven wickets, and Sri Lanka pacer Dushmantha Chameera, who has been in red-hot form, highlighted by a 4 for 20 performance earlier in the tournament.
The Rawalpindi pitch is expected to be cold and dry, with dew likely influencing the second innings, making the decision to bowl first potentially advantageous for the toss-winning Pakistan side.
Form Guide:
Pakistan – W L W W W
Sri Lanka – W W L L L
Pakistan Squad: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha (c), Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed.
Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (c), Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga
